BIRTHRIGHT
The privilege of the firstborn son. Among the Hebrews, as indeed among most other nations, the firstborn enjoyed particular privileges; and wherever polygamy was tolerated, it was highly necessary to fix them, Deuteronomy 1:21-17. Besides the father’s chief blessing, Genesis 1:27-46, and various minor advantages, the firstborn son was, first, specially consecrated to the Lord,
Exodus 1:13-16; Exodus 1:22; and the firstborn son of a priest succeeded his father in the priestly office. Among the sons of Jacob, Reuben the firstborn forfeited the right of the firstborn, Genesis 35:22; Genesis 1:49, Genesis 1:49, and God gave it to Levi, Numbers 3:12, Numbers 1:3; Numbers 1:8. Secondly, the firstborn was entitled to a share of his father’s estate twice as large as any of the other brethren received, Deuteronomy 21:17. Thirdly, he succeeded to the official dignities and rights of his father, 2 Chronicles 21:3. In some of these privileges there is an allusion to Him, who is "the firstborn among many brethren," Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-6. Universal dominion is his, and an everlasting priesthood.